Air-lift system



J. OLIPHANT.

AIR LIFT SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 001.19. 1916.

' 1,385,707, Patented Ju1y'26, 1921.

states ATET OFFICE.

JOHN OLIPHANT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

AIR-LIFT SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26', 192-1.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jorm OLIPHANT, a 'citizen'oi the United States, residing at Chicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Lift Systems. of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to air-lift systems.

It has for its object to provide an improved air-lift system wherein the back pressure in the booster may be more readily controlled, and wherein the booster parts are rendered more readily accessible. I attain these objects byproviding a-booster equipped with an improved. float and improved controlling mechanism for the float, and also provided with improved supply and discharge connections accessible from the top of the booster casing.

In the accompanying drawings, I have for purposes of illustration shown one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the booster.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is another sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a compressor 1 having its discharge connected through a pipe 2 to a receiver 3 which is in turn connected through a pipe 4 to a down-pipe 5 of the air-lift mechamsm. As shown, this pipe 5 extends down to a suitable foot-piece 6 located in the well, whereby the air delivered by the pipe 5 s mixed in a well known manner with the fluid in the well, and the mixture is directed upward through the pipe 7 into the booster 8, wherein the fluid is separated fromthe air and subsequently delivered under pressure to the line 9.

Inmy improved construction, the pipe 5 enters throughthe to of the booster 8. As shown, it is also pre erably formed in sections. One of these sections, '5. e. that which passes through the top of the booster 8, 1s removably attached, as by threadmg, to a sleeve-like member 10. This member 10 is, in turn, preferablyv flanged and removably attached, as by bolts 11, to the top of the 5, 2'. e. that which passes up through the bottom of the booster, is threaded in the member 10 and disposed concentrically therein and in a larger sleeve 13. As shown, this sleeve 13 has a flange 14 on its lower end removably attached, as by bolts 15, to the bottom of the booster. and is so disposed that its opposite end extends upward to a point" adjacent to and beneath the umbrella top. In a preferred form, screws 16 serve to attach to this flange 14 a clamping ring 17, threaded to receive the pipe 7 through which the mixture of air and water passes from the foot-piece 6 into the booster. A baflle-plate 18 is also disposed at one side of the sleeve 13 and extends downward to a point above the bottom of the booster 8 and between the sleeve 13 and an upwardly extending discharge pipe 19, which may, if desired. be provided with an elbow, and which has itsopen end disposed adjacent the bottom of the tank and its discharge end opening through the top of the tank. As

sho\vn, this member 19 is also flanged at 20 accessible, and that, if desired, the booster may be sunk in the earth as shown in such a manner as to occupy little space and at the same time be better protected.

In my improved construction, I have also provided means whereby the back pressure in the booster tank may be maintained constant and also regulated at will from the ex-. terior of the tank and preferably from the top thereof. These means include a hollow valve 22 having a closed inner end 23 and laterally disposed apertures 24 and .25 near its ends. As shown, this valve is movable in a valve casing 26 carried on top. of the booster and controls the communication between the booster and the atmosphere or,

by an elongated diving bell float 28 which is carried on a vertically disposed rod 29 seated in a suitable socket 30 on the bottom of upper end with an enlarged the top of the the booster, the float disposed rod-receivin I therethmugh and fixe 'float m'ay slide longitudinally on the rod.

rovided at its sad 32 which is, in turn, connected to the valve 22 by a threaded connection 33, and has a plura lty of spaced abutments 34 thereon. Theseabutments receive between the same the free end of an arm 35 which is fixed to a rotatable pivot pin 36 carried on a sup rt 37 disposed intermediate the valve casing 26 and the top of the booster, and removably attached, as by bolts 38 over an aperture 39 in booster casing through which As shown, this tube is also the float may be shown,'this pin 36 is, in turn, connected to and movable with an elongated lever or arm 40 dis osed outside the valve casing 26, and provi ed with a weight 41 adjustable longitudinall thereof and adapted to be clamped in any esired position of adjustment by a set screw 42.

' In the operation of my improved construction, it will be apparent that the air passing down into the foot 6 will mix with the water in the well and in a well known manner cause the mixture to be ejected through the pipe 7 and sleeve 13 of the booster 8 against the umbrella top 12 thereof, the air being separated from the water or other fluid and remaining in the booster while the water or other fluid is ejecte from the boostei through the dischar e pipe 19, under the pressure of the air con ned at the top of the booster. In my improved construction, the amount of this pressure a and the resultant level of the water in the ancy of surging booster may be readily adjusted by a simple movement of the weight 41 along the lever 40 in such a manner as to vary the buoyof the float 28, the desired back pressure thereafter being automatically maintained constant through the valve 22 which acts to open or close communication between the booster and the atmosphere, or the com prewor inlet, if desired, as the fluid level in the booster varies.

It should also be noted that in my inproved construction, wherein all. connections and controlling mechanism for the booster are at the,to of the latter and removable therethrougii, it is also pomible to simplify the construction within the booster and that by roviding the baflle plate an a discharge pipe having its receiving end at the bottom of the booster and its upper tion entirely closed, all objectionable e ects within the booster are removed and a constant flow through the dischar pipe is assured. Attention is directed to ct that by the provision of .my improved valve having a closed bottom and lateral ports, all bad efi'ectsjof splashing on the -to be understood that the inserted or withdrawn. As

venting of the device are also prevented. These and other advantages of my im roved construction will, however, be clear y apparent to those skilled in the art. While I have in this application specifically described only one embodiment which my invention may assume in ractice, it is orm thereof shown herein is used only for purposes of illustration and that the same may be extensively modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, it being my intention to include all such scofilof the appended claims.

at I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

'1. In combination, a booster, a float controlled valve for maintaining a constant liquid level therein, and means operable from the exterior of said booster for adjusting at will the level to be maintained.

2. In combination, a booster casing, inlet and discharge pipes therein, means for maintaining a constant liguid level in said casing including a vent va ve on said casin and a float connected to said vent valve, an means operable from the exterior of said casin for varying at will the buoyancy of said oat.

3. In combination, a booster casing, inlet and discharge pipes therein, automatically acting mechanism including a float for maintaining a constant ressure in said casing, and means adjustab e from the exterior of said casing for varying the buoyancy of said float.

4. In combination, a booster casing, inlet for com ressor having an inlet, a booster operatlvely connected thereto, means for maintaining a constant liquid level in said booster including a vent valve and a float controlling the operation of said valve, connections between said valve and said compressor inlet, and means operable from the exterior of said booster for varying the buoyancy of said float.

6. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, inlet and discharge (pipes therein, a valve casing carried on sai booster casin a hollow valve movable in said casing an havin a closed end and lateral ports, one adap to open into said booster casing and the other into said valve casing, and a float connected to said valve and disposed within said booster a 7. In an air-lift ster, a booster casing,

modifications within the an upstanding pressure fluid and liquid pipe extending upward therein, a concentrlcally disposed pressure fluid pipe, and an umbrella top disposed concentricall about said a pressure fluid and liquid pipe therein, an.

umbrella top disposed adjacent the mouth of said pipe, and a fluid discharge pipe oppositely disposed in said casing with respect to said pressure fluid and liquid pipe and having its receiving end disposed adjacent one end of said casing.

9. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, an upstanding pressure fluid and liquid pipe therein, a concentrically disposed pressure fluid pipe, an umbrella top disposed concentrically about said pressure fluid pipe and adjacent the mouth of said first mentioned pipe, and a water discharge pipe in said casing oppositely disposed with respect to said pressure fluid and liquid pipe and having its receiving end disposed adjacent one end of said casing.

10. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, a pressure fluid and liquid pipe extending into the same in one direction, an umbrella top disposed in the path of the mixture delivered by said pipe, a liquid discharge pipe extending in an opposite direction in said casing, and a baflle-plate disposed transversely of said casing and between said pressure fluid and liquid pipe and said llquid discharge pipe.

11. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, a pressure fluid and liquid pipe extendin into the same, an umbrella top dispose over the end thereof, a liquid discharge pipe having its mouth disposed adjacent the bottom of said casing, and a baffle-plate disposed transversely of said casing and between said pressure fluid and liquid pipe and said liquid discharge pipe.

12. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing,

means for delivering a mixture ofpressure fluid and liquid through the bottom of said casing, means for discharging li uid therefrom having its mouth dispose adjacent the bottom of said casing, a float controlled vent valve controlling the water level in said casing, and a transverse baflle plate disposed between said delivering means and said vent valve and discharging means.

13. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, an upstanding mixture-introducing member therein, an umbrella top disposed above the outlet of said member, a pressure fluid pipe disposed axially through said member and umbrella top, a liquid discharge pipe oppositely disposed with respect to said member and having its receiving end extending into said casing to a point near the bottom of the casing, and a vent valve for said casing disposed on the top thereof.

14. In an air-lift booster, a booster casing, an upstanding mixture-introducing sleeve, an umbrella top disposed above the outlet of said sleeve, a pressure fluid pipe disposed axially through said sleeve and umbrella top, a liquid discharge pipe oppositely disposed with respect to said sleeve and having its receiving end extending to a point near the bottom of said casing, a vent valve for controlling the water level in said casing, a

float in said casing controlling the operation of said valve, and means adjustable from the exterior of said casing for varying the buoyancy of said float.

15. In a liquid pumping system, in combination, a booster casing having inlet and discharge connections, means including a valve for automatically maintaining a constant fluid pressure acting upon the liquid therein and a resultant continuous liquid discharge therefrom, and means operable from the exterior of said casing for adjusting said means at will to vary the fluid pressure to be maintained in said casing.

16. In a liquid pumping system, 1n combination, a booster casing having .inlet and discharge connections, means including a stant liquid level therein and a resultant continuous liquid flow therefrom, and means operable from the exterior of said casing for adjusting said means at will to vary the level to be maintained in said casing.

17. In a liquid pumping system, a booster adapted to produce a continuous liquid flow, a float controlled valve for maintaining a constant liquid level therein, and means operable from the exterior of said booster for adjusting at will the level to be maintained.

18. In a liquid pumping system, a compressor having an inlet, a booster adapted to produce a continuous liquid flow, a vent valve therefor, connections between said vent valve and said compressor inlet, a float in said booster controlling the operation of said vent valve, and means operable from the exterior of said booster for varying the buoyancy of said float.

- In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature.

JOHN OLI ANT.

valve for automatically maintaining a con- 

